As Nigeria continues to navigate through economic challenges, every facet of life, including housing and renting, is struggling to adapt. The soaring price of cement has compelled Nigerians to seek alternative building materials. It was once common for someone with a modest income and a small plot of land to gradually start construction using cement blocks. However, the increased cost of cement has led to higher rent prices and has affected even those who built their homes years ago.
The spike in cement prices has made building with shipping containers a more attractive option, with effect sighting container houses more often on the Nigerian landscape. This method had been slowly gaining traction, largely due to Nigerians’ strong preference for cement. Mr. Folawe Adeniran, a car dealer from Benin, shared his experience: “It took me nothing less than N2 million to build a two-room and toilet a few years back when I started my business. Now I received a quotation of N4 million to do such on leased land as I intend to build another branch for my business.” Due to the high costs, Adeniran opted for a container building, noting, “This building is made with containers and is heat-free as people used to think building with containers attracts lots of heat.”
Mr. Friday Badmus, a trader, faced a similar dilemma when his rent was raised significantly. “It was a funny day when my landlord told me in November that he wants to increase my rent of a two-bedroom flat to N800,000 from N600,000,” Badmus recounted. With no desire to borrow and under financial strain, he and his wife decided to build a container apartment on their quarter plot land, utilizing their savings and contributions from family and friends. “You won’t even know it is built with a container if I don’t spill,” he added, highlighting the practicality and aesthetic appeal of container homes.
Container construction is recognized for its affordability and efficiency. Construction engineer Blessing George explained, “The construction costs range from N100,000 – N150,000 per square meter, depending on final specification and finishing.” He further clarified that cement is primarily needed for laying the foundation for container buildings, which are increasingly used for both commercial and personal purposes due to the prohibitive cost of cement.
The current situation has led many Nigerians to reconsider their building plans. “The high price of cement which is making people seek for other building alternatives is pushing many to opt for the container houses,” said George. A market survey indicated that the price of a bag of cement now fluctuates between N8,000 to N11,300 depending on the location, a steep increase from N5,500 in January 2024. This economic pressure is reshaping the construction landscape in Nigeria, making alternative building methods like container homes more mainstream.